Chester Zoo's Dracula orchids have been recognised as a nationally important conservation collection by Plant Heritage.
The zoo cares for more than half of the 147 scientifically recognised species of Dracula orchid, which come from the cloud forests of the Andes in Latin America.
"We look after more than 75 of the 147 scientifically recognised species of Dracula orchids, and every one of the plants we look after is threatened by illegal extraction, habitat loss or illicit mining," said Brie Langley, assistant team manager at Chester Zoo's plant nursery.
Chester Zoo cares for more than half of the 147 scientifically recognised species of Dracula orchidChester Zoo
Harmless to humans, the Dracula orchids are Chester Zoo are not currently on public display. However, plants from the zoo's five other National Plant Collections are on show, including South American orchids (Pleurothallidinae) and tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes).
With Halloween approaching, Chester Zoo's lead horticulturist Luke Bunn said: "If anyone is looking for something spooky to look at, Nepenthes plants are a good place to start.
"They are quite alien looking, as they grow long, tube-shaped pitchers with open mouths. They are carnivorous plants and they tempt insects in through these mouths, where they fall into a liquid that slowly digests them."
Spooky plants at Chester Zoo
"Like Dracula orchids, Nepenthes species face serious threats, but our conservation teams are helping survey and protect them in the wild, and our science and plants team are working together to propagate them in human care to make sure they have a future," he added.
Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage, said the organisation is "focused on protecting our much-loved plants for future generations, so we hope that visitors to the zoo will take a moment to admire the horticultural achievements at the zoo alongside the animals that also call the zoo home".
Earlier this year, Chester Zoo became the first UK zoo to gain international botanical garden status in recognition of its plant conservation work.
